Auxin signaling dynamics during Ceratopteris male development in response to antheridiogen. The six panels contain confocal time-lapse images showing auxin signaling dynamics in Ceratopteris male gametophytes expressing the DR5v2::ntdTomato transgenic reporter, grown on conditioned fern medium. A male gametophyte was live-imaged every day from 1 to 6 days after germination (DAG). The panels show projection views of tdTomato signals (Fire LUT). The white arrowhead (top left panel) indicates the initial DR5 signal in the early developing prothallus, while yellow arrowheads (top row) indicate DR5 signals in developing rhizoids. Cyan arrowheads and white dashed circles highlight DR5 signaling dynamics during antheridium initiation and maturation. Color bars represent the relative intensity of DR5 signals in Fire LUT images, with low intensity shown in black, intermediate intensity in blue to red, and high intensity in yellow to white. The color scale applies to the entire prothallus but excludes the spore coat. Scale bars: 50 µm.
Ferns alternate between asexual #sporophyte & sexual free-living #gametophyte. This study uncovers the mechanism of male-to- #hermaphrodite conversion in the #fern #Ceratopteris, revealing a novel role for #auxin biosynthesis during #meristem formation @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/4k5EcAU